– We agree on a joint agreement on how to manage and finance the nursery sector. It is important to create predictability and calm in the kindergartens, which are a basic and important welfare offer, says the Labor Party’s Elise Waagen to NTB.
Patient focus is also involved in the settlement, where the government therefore goes to the right to secure a majority.
– For the Center Party, a settlement that stands up over time is more important than the fads of the wing parties. Now we ensure good kindergartens close to people throughout Norway. We have greatly reduced the nursery price, now we are taking new measures for quality, says Marit Knutsdatter Strand, education policy spokesperson for the Center Party, to NTB.
Desired broad settlement
The parties in the Storting have been negotiating since before the summer about the new law for how the private kindergartens are to be managed and financed. The goal was to achieve a new, broad kindergarten settlement – for the first time since 2003.
Along the way, both Frp, SV and Rødt have broken off the negotiations. MDG also ultimately chose to stay out.
– MDG has chosen not to become part of the settlement because the decisions are not good enough to ensure a good enough nursery for children and employees in the years to come. The fact that there are no concrete measures that will strengthen staffing, create lower sickness absence and ensure good recruitment is worrying, says MDG’s Une Bastholm.
Recently, several people have advocated increased staffing in the kindergartens, and several of the parties that have withdrawn from the settlement highlight this point.
Will clarify the staffing rules
The six parties that agree emphasize that it is required by law to have such good staffing in the kindergartens that the staff can run a satisfactory educational activity.
– This requirement applies throughout the opening hours, also in the event of illness and other absences. The parties believe that it must be emphasized that substitutes must be obtained if the staffing situation dictates this, it is further stated.
They also ask the government to follow up and clarify how the staffing regulations are to be understood, what constitutes appropriate staffing. It must also be clarified when it is necessary to bring in substitutes and, if necessary, cut the opening hours.
The parties in the settlement also agree that pension schemes must be part of the bill that is presented to the Storting.
The aim is that there should be equal rights for employees in private and public kindergartens.
SV: – Fails the left side
SV’s education policy spokesperson, Grete Wold, says that the settlement does not solve any of the problems in the kindergartens.
– We have a staffing crisis out there. This settlement does not consider solving it at all. We must ensure that the money allocated to the kindergartens goes to our children. Neither does this settlement. And we must make sure that the commercial players cannot shut down overnight. That doesn’t solve this settlement either, she says to NTB.
She is disappointed that the government parties go to the bourgeois parties to get a majority.
– It shows that they are once again failing the left in politics. They could have reached a settlement with us that would have ensured a kindergarten law that would have done something about the challenges in the sector, she says.
– “Honk and drive and go” for the commercial ones
Rødt’s Hege Bae Nyholt says that they tried to be constructive in the negotiations, but that the majority chose not to listen to several of their proposals.
– This is a kind of “honk and drive and go” for the commercial nurseries, she says.
– I am disappointed. Here, the governing parties have chosen the right over their own politics. They have entered into a settlement that is so broad that it does not take into account the crises in the nursery sector, she tells NTB.
PBL: Positive clarifications
Director Jørn-Tommy Schjelderup of the National Association of Private Kindergartens (PBL), which organizes several of the commercial kindergartens, says that there will be several “positive and very important clarifications in the settlement”.
– After a long period of much polarized debate, and also far-reaching proposals that would have been very dramatic for private kindergartens, it is good that the parties have managed to agree on a document that mentions many of the central themes, he says.
He praises both the governing parties and the opposition for having worked constructively on the issue over time.
– And with good intentions about balanced and sustainable solutions, he says.
#Agreement #kindergarten #law #demand #staffing
What specific actions will be taken to address staffing shortages in kindergartens as part of the new agreement?
**Interview on Recent Developments in Norway’s Kindergarten Sector**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. We’re discussing the recent negotiations surrounding the settlement for managing and financing Norway’s nursery sector. Elise Waagen from the Labor Party recently emphasized the importance of this agreement for creating a stable environment in kindergartens. How does the Labor Party envision this settlement impacting day-to-day operations in kindergartens?
**Guest (Elise Waagen):** Thank you for having me. Our primary goal with this joint agreement is to promote predictability and calm within the nursery environment. Kindergartens are a fundamental part of our welfare system, and we believe that by establishing clear regulations and funding, we can improve the quality of care and education provided to our children. This will also help staff feel more secure and supported in their roles.
**Interviewer:** Marit Knutsdatter Strand from the Center Party mentioned that a long-term settlement is more crucial than the trends pushed by more radical parties. Can you elaborate on this perspective?
**Guest (Elise Waagen):** Absolutely. The Center Party is focused on creating sustainable solutions that keep kindergartens accessible and of high quality across the country. We’ve already reduced nursery fees significantly, and now, we’re aiming for measures that ensure ongoing quality improvements. While innovative ideas are valuable, we must prioritize solutions that stand the test of time, especially in the face of shifting political winds.
**Interviewer:** Several parties, including the MDG and SV, have expressed concerns about staffing levels and the overall effectiveness of the settlement. Une Bastholm articulated worries over insufficient measures to strengthen staffing. What is your response to this criticism?
**Guest (Elise Waagen):** We recognize the importance of adequate staffing in kindergartens and agree it is essential for delivering quality education. The settlement emphasizes legal requirements for staffing, ensuring there are sufficient educators available, even during absences. While it’s true that not every party is satisfied, we are committed to refining staffing regulations and ensuring funding is directed where it is most needed to support both children and educators.
**Interviewer:** Grete Wold from SV warned that the settlement fails to address critical issues, such as the existing staffing crisis. What assurances can you provide that this new framework will effectively tackle these pressing challenges?
**Guest (Elise Waagen):** We believe that this settlement is a step towards addressing those challenges. While it may not be a complete solution to all staffing issues, it sets a foundation for future improvements. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to monitor its implementation and make necessary adjustments. Our commitment to regular evaluations and adjustments in response to changing needs is key to ensuring that the intentions of this agreement translate into real-world improvements.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are the next steps for the parties involved in this settlement?
**Guest (Elise Waagen):** The next steps involve finalizing the legislative details and ensuring that all agreed-upon measures are clearly communicated and implemented effectively. We must also engage stakeholders further to gather feedback on how the settlement is affecting kindergartens across Norway, ensuring our policies remain responsive to the needs of children and staff alike.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights on these significant developments in Norway’s kindergarten sector.
**Guest (Elise Waagen):** Thank you for having me. It’s an important discussion, and I appreciate the opportunity to share our vision for a stronger, more effective nursery system in Norway.
